Linux-based website hosting is popular due to its nonexistent-to-low price and high degree of security. Linux supports multiple control panel software applications that facilitate customer website design.
Let’s take a close look at the most popular solution available today, cPanel, and see why it’s the best choice for website designers.
What Is cPanel/WHM?
The most popular Linux-based control panel software is aptly named cPanel. You will often see it referenced in combination with WHM (Web Host Manager) as a website management solution. These two tools perform complementary functions related to the management of websites or cloud servers.
cPanel is control panel software accessed by end-users to manage a Linux hosting service, such as for a website. It features a simple and intuitive GUI that provides a powerful platform for performing many website administrative and management tasks. We will get deeper into its details shortly, but for now, let’s just say it’s the front end of the cPanel/WHM tandem.
WHM is used to create and manage cPanel accounts, and frequently resellers use WHM to manage their customers’ hosting accounts. Administrators using the WHM interface have root-level access to resources, whereas cPanel provides access to a customer’s hosting account.
cPanel Features and Benefits
cPanel has become a popular solution for managing virtual private server (VPS) hosted websites and servers due to several features that directly address the needs of the user community. The tool offers complete control over a website or server for both experienced professionals and non-technical users just beginning to explore the possibilities of the web.
What follows are some of the main characteristics that make cPanel so popular for VPS hosting and an explanation of why it should be the first choice of website designers.
Simplicity
No matter what level of technical expertise you enjoy, it’s always preferable to use a simple solution when one exists. cPanel’s user interface enables many website management activities to be accomplished by simply pointing and clicking. Both basic and complex tasks can be performed through the GUI with a few clicks. Documentation and built-in tutorials that help guide non-technical users through all cPanel operations are easily accessible.
The cPanel interface enables users to fully manage their website without requiring them to possess any level of technical skills. Many website designers are not computer experts. They have decided to build an online presence to further business or personal interests and greatly benefit from using the simple and intuitive cPanel interface.
By eliminating the technical impediments to website management, cPanel allows users to focus on designing interesting sites and managing them efficiently. Rather than getting bogged down investigating the syntax of some arcane command, designers can concentrate on the aspects of their website that appeal to users, drive traffic, and increase engagement.
Scalability
Another outstanding feature of cPanel is its ability to allow entities such as marketing agencies to manage multiple clients on a single VPS. With cPanel, it’s easy to manage multiple domains on the same VPS. Client email lists and files can be segregated and managed efficiently from cPanel’s intuitive interface. Once again, cPanel enables users to focus on what they want to do rather than on the technical details of how to get things done.
Flexibility
If the basic features of cPanel are not sufficient, multiple extensions allow users to easily augment their systems. Offerings like WordPress management tools, billing systems, customizable backup applications, and security solutions can quickly be added. Easy installation capabilities with Atlantic.Net’s One-Click Apps let you add software with just a few clicks.
Compatibility
cPanel is compatible with all web browsers including Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Internet Explorer. It is also compatible with many third-party add-ons and applications that extend website functionality. This adds to the degree of creativity that can be exercised by website designers using cPanel.
Customization
Through cPanel extensions and third-party compatibility, there is no limit to the degree of customization that can be achieved by website designers. CMS solutions like Joomla, Drupal, or WordPress can be added simply and easily. Resellers can take advantage of cPanel customization for enhanced branding and improving logo design and brand colors to promote their business.
Database Management
Databases are an essential component of most useful websites. They are a requirement for any site that intends to be more than a bulletin board. Database creation and management can be done with cPanel. Multiple database platforms are supported by cPanel, with the two most popular being MySQL and PostgreSQL.
Email Management
A primary objective of many website owners is retaining visitors once they have attracted them to their sites. Another is communicating with visitors who have expressed interest in the website’s offering. Email is perfect for both tasks and is easily managed with cPanel. Users can easily create or delete email accounts and customize emails to reflect their brand.
Backup and Recovery
cPanel provides flexible backup and recovery functionality that enables users to protect their information. You can back up full cPanel accounts and use the media to restore them on different servers. This includes all of the account files, databases, email accounts, and settings.
Conclusion
As this list demonstrates, cPanel offers website designers an intuitive platform from which to manage all aspects of their sites. It removes most of the technical impediments that stand in the way of an average user running a superb website.
Atlantic.Net‘s cPanel Offerings
As a VPS provider, Atlantic.Net offers its customers flexible hosting options. Atlantic’s Cloud VPS offerings provide users with the choice to host on a VPS with or without cPanel. It is a fully integrated solution that enables users to only pay for what they need. You can easily add cPanel as one of Atlantic.Net’s One-Click Apps, rather than taking the hour or so normally spent on manual installation.
Atlantic’s combination of cost-efficient Linux VPS solutions and a cPanel license gives website designers the perfect platform for building engaging sites. You can tailor the size of the hosting solution to meet your business requirements and avoid paying for unnecessary capacity. The addition of cPanel lets users of all levels of technical proficiency efficiently manage their websites.
